About Little Zion

Little Zion Baptist Church was established September 1885, in Elizabeth City County, on Sawyers Swamp Road which is now West Queen Street.

A prayer band of members from Zion Baptist Church of Phoebus, began gathering in the home of Brother Burl Parker to organize their thoughts and ideas to establish a house of worship closer to their community. The original edifice that was erected at 1820 West Queen Street measured 26 X 36 square feet.

The first Pastor-Elect was Rev. G. W. Thornton. During the period of 1885-1957, the following ministers were the under shepherds at Little Zion Baptist Church: Rev. G. W.

Thornton, Rev. Lions, Dr. John Bray, Rev. Johnson, Rev. Chester Banks, and Rev. Jenkins. The Deacon Board was organized in 1910 with Deacon Burl Parker as Chairman. The Baptist Training Union (BTU) of Virginia was founded by one of the early leaders of Little Zion Baptist Church, Deacon Cornelius Jones, and leaders of various other churches in Virginia. Little Zion Baptist Church is a charter member of the BTU. The Sunday School was organized by Deacon Cornelius Jones Deacon W. Nettles.

In 1957, the leadership of Little Zion Baptist Church came under the direction of Rev. James Walter Dodd. During his tenure in 1962, Little Zion Baptist Church, at 77 years old, needed renovation and expansion. There was a tremendous need to have a baptismal pool. The absence of a pool required that the ordinance of baptism be performed at Zion Baptist Church in Newport News.

The remodeled church measured 44 X 69 square feet. It then had a baptismal pool, a heating system, indoor bathrooms, a kitchen, a larger sanctuary with more seating, and a small fellowship area.

As the membership grew, in 1981, an even larger building became necessary to accommodate the congregation and to provide space for the ministries. Contributions were received from Mrs.

Lelia Jones-Williams, Mr. Robert Fiscella, various building fund activities, and the members.

Construction began in March of 1981. The cornerstone for the new edifice was laid on May 26, 1985, and the doors of Little Zion Baptist Church were officially opened at our present location of 1824 West Queen Street.

Rev. J. W. Dodd remained the under shepherd at Little Zion Baptist Church for a period of 30 years, retiring as pastor emeritus in 1987. During his administration, the following ministers were licensed and ordained: Rev. Raymond Franklin, Sr., Rev. Leroy Copeland, Rev. Richard L.

Hughes, Sr., Rev. Rufus Houston, Rev. James A. Brown, Rev. Willie C. Hicks, and Rev. Jesse Greene. Under Rev. Dodd's leadership, seventeen ministries were organized.